Million Pound Shot viewers react after true meaning behind new Bradley Walsh game show revealed

After days of speculation around what was really going on with Bradley Walsh's new game show on Channel 4, audiences finally discovered the truth behind the bizarre format.

Earlier in the week, Channel 4 announced that Million Pound Shot was a British television first in which contestants put their own money on the line for the chance to win up to £1 million.

And that was indeed the case, for the first 30 minutes of the show. As viewers and the live studio audience watched on, three contestants competed for a seven-figure jackpot, and it was thought they were staking their own money in pursuit of the prize.

The show introduced Helen, Mark and Reece, the latter of which began to stake more and more of his own money on general knowledge questions, that he then got wrong and ended in minus £6,000 worth of debt.

After a short break, Walsh then revealed the entire show had been staged: "Ladies and gentleman is everyone alright? It’s been quite a lot to process. What you witnessed was not all as it seems.

"The whole thing is a performance. Our contestant Reece is being played by an actor… Everything you’ve seen… draws on the techniques used by the gambling communities to manipulate their customers."

Viewers quickly turned to social media to share their surprise at the show, with one user writing: "Wow that gambling show on C4 with Bradley Walsh was brilliant but scary. I smelt a rat straight away and it put the point over perfectly. Online gambling/virtual casino and slots, the biggest con of all."

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Another wrote: "Well I did not see that coming Bradley Walsh!!!"

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As the episode continued, it showed a case study of a teacher who racked up hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of debt and even considered taking his own life, whose experience was based on the character of Reece.

"One of the most shocking things I discovered whilst making this programme is that gambling is linked to such despair that people believe there’s no way out other than extreme measures," Bradley Walsh said.

He continued: "I heard from people who have been directly affected and friends and family about what it’s like when you hit the end of the road and feel there’s no way out. The feeling of despair and loss of control are real and in an ideal world no one would ever dream of going down that path.

"What can we and more importantly the gambling companies do to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those who participate. I hope, at least, that this programme goes some way in highlighting the way the gambling industry operates and that viewers can make up their own minds."

In response to the programme, The Gambling Commission told Channel 4 they have implemented a wide range of consumer protections in recent years, including tightening rules on free bets. They said all operators are required to look out for and act on the warning signs of harm.

A betting and gaming council spokesperson said: "Our members operate in one of the most tightly regulated gambling markets in the world, with strict rules on advertising, customer protection, promotional offers and game design.

"These protections have been strengthened significantly in recent years. Practices such as losses disguised as wins have been banned for years, while operators are required to stop marketing to customers where strong signs of harm are identified."

Bradley Walsh’s Million Pound Shot is available to stream on Channel 4.

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